Definition

1. Verb (limited combination):
   • To brave death; to be willing to face death: Describes the act of accepting or confronting death, typically for a noble cause such as one's country or ideals. It implies a voluntary and conscious acceptance of extreme risk.
   • To fight with a suicide spirit; to be ready to sacrifice oneself: Refers to engaging in combat or a dangerous mission with the mindset and willingness to die in the process.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Người lính xông lên với tinh thần cảm tử. (The soldier charged forward with a death-braving spirit.)
  • Họ cảm tử để bảo vệ thành phố. (They braved death to protect the city.)
  • Đội cảm tử tấn công vào căn cứ địch. (The suicide squad attacked the enemy base.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is most commonly used in fixed or limited combinations, particularly in historical or military contexts, to describe extreme valor and self-sacrifice.
• It often modifies nouns like "tinh thần" (spirit), "đội" (squad), or "quân" (troops) to form specific phrases.

Variants and Related Words

• Đội cảm tử (n): Suicide squad; death brigade. A unit specifically formed for high-risk, often fatal missions.
• Tinh thần cảm tử (n): The spirit of being ready to die; a death-defying spirit. This phrase encapsulates the mindset behind the action.

Synonyms

• Sacrifice oneself: To give up one's life for a cause.
• Face death bravely: To confront death with courage.
• Suicide mission: An operation where participants are not expected to survive (related concept).

Related Idioms

While "cảm tử" itself is typically used in set phrases rather than idioms, its core meaning is central to expressions of ultimate sacrifice in Vietnamese. - The concept is embodied in historical slogans like "Quyết tử cho Tổ quốc quyết sinh" (Determined to die for the Fatherland to be determined to live), which shares the same spirit of self-sacrifice.

verb

1. To brave death
   • xông vào phá kho bom của địch với tinh thần cảm tử
     to attack an enemy bomb depot in a death-braving spirit
   • đội cảm tử
     a suicide squad